Taxis will be propelled into a new era
at this year’s British International Motor Show with the launch of the
UK’s very first electric taxi. Launched by Glasgow based Allied
Vehicles which builds thousands of taxis each year, the new E7 taxi
appears in the electric pavilion for the duration of the motor show.

The electric taxi will be available
from October 2008 and is the result of three years research and
development by Allied, which is already looking for local authority
partners to install recharging networks locally to help drive down urban
emissions.

The E7 is powered entirely by cutting
edge Lithium-ion batteries which have been developed and supplied by
Europe’s leading independent manufacturer, Dundee based Axeon Holdings
plc. These give the electric E7 a range of up to 100 miles from a single
charge and a top speed of 60mph.

Producing no carbon, particulates or
other pollutant emissions, the E7 is eligible for a 100% discount from
vehicle excise duty, as well as lower daily running costs.

With rising fuel prices an increasing
problem for taxi drivers, the electric E7 is cheaper to run than a
traditional black cab*. Allied’s confidence in the technology is
underlined with batteries featuring a six-year warranty and the base
vehicle boasting a two-year unlimited mileage Peugeot warranty.

The electric E7 also provides full
wheelchair access. Thanks to its large rear-passenger area wheelchair
users can enter the vehicle more easily and be turned into the correct
position for travel, before being secured safely with high-quality
wheelchair restraints and passenger seat belts.

“We’ve had a positive response to
electric vehicles from many local authorities, both in the UK and in
Europe. However it’s a shame that London looks set to miss out,
especially since its famous taxi fleet is currently responsible for 4%
of all emissions in the capital,” he added.